Academic Support Services

Admission of Undergraduate Students
Admission
New Freshmen
Transfer Students
Advanced Standing and Credit by Examination
Student Financial Assistance
Registrar's Office
Degree Certification Office
Veterans' Coordinator
Continuing Studies
Student Affairs
Student Health
Student Housing
Student Conduct
Assistance to Disabled Students
University Career Services
Student Support Services Office
Multicultural Student Support and Services
Learning Resources Division
Library Services
Instructional Media
Information Systems

ADMISSION OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

The Office of Admission is the initial contact point for undergraduate students. The Office of Admission collects all necessary records of new students and is responsible for the evaluation of transcripts from high schools and colleges.

Office of Admission
107 Student Welcoming Center - Horace Mann
1701 S. Broadway
Pittsburg, Kansas 66762-7520
(620) 235-4251
1-800-854-PITT (7488)
Fax number (620) 235-6003
psuadmit@pittstate.edu
http://www.pittstate.edu

Falsification of documentation on the admission application, test scores or grades could result in denial of admission and enrollment at Pittsburg State University.

Admission

The Office of Admission participates in College Planning Clinics, High School and Community College visits, and individual and group campus visits that provide college admission counseling. Members of the university faculty are available for consultation on and off the campus. Inquiries, suggesting time, place and numbers of students, and fields of interest of the students, should be addressed to the Director of Admission and Retention or the Assistant Directors of Admission for High School Relations or Transfer Relations.

High school graduates entering after the fall of 2001 are required to meet the Qualified Admission statute as adopted by the Kansas legislature under KSA 76-717.

To apply for out-of-state tuition plans, associate degree programs, honors college or scholarships a separate application is necessary and may be obtained from the Admission Office as listed above.

New Freshmen

High School Graduates Prior to 2001 Spring:

As a state supported institution, Pittsburg State University, by law, admits all graduates of Kansas high schools accredited by the State Board of Education. Applicants with previous college credit, earned after graduation from high school, are not eligible under this provision. Graduates of accredited high schools outside Kansas are eligible for admission if the academic record places the students in the upper one-half of their graduating class and they have a minimum 2.0000 grade point average on a 4.0000 scale.

Beginning Fall Semester 2001:*

Pittsburg State University will admit all Kansas high school graduates or anyone under the age of 21 who meet one of the following criteria:

1. An ACT score of 21 or higher, or
2. Rank in the top one-third of high school graduation class, or
3. A grade point average of "C" 2.0000 grade point average on a 4.0000 scale in the Kansas core curriculum. The core curriculum requirements are four units of English, three units of math, three units of social studies, three units of natural science and one unit of computer technology, or
4. Apply through the exception window.

*Per K.S.A. 76-717

Admission Policy for Home Schooled Students

All home schooled students seeking admission to Pittsburg State University will be evaluated individually by the Director of Admission and Retention for course content and completion. Home schooled students under 21 years of age must take the ACT. PSU follows regulations that are congruent with the admission policies of the other Kansas Regent institutions. (Completion of a 21 or better on the ACT* or a score of at least 50 points on the General Education Development (GED) certificate is considered comparable to the core curriculum.)

Non-High School Graduates/Non-Accredited High School Graduates

Non-high school graduates may be eligible for admission on the basis of the following scores on examinations:

1. General Education Development (GED) score of at least 50 points. (ACT required if under 21 years of age).
2. ACT* examination composite score of 21 or better.

Students graduating from a non-accredited high school may be eligible for admission by submitting a portfolio of class work and seeking admission under the qualified admission window or showing "ability to benefit" for financial assistance regulations on the basis of the scores on examinations:

1. General Education Development (GED) certificates score of at least 50 points. (ACT required if under 21 years of age).
2. ACT* examination composite score of 21 or better.

*SAT composite score will be converted to the ACT standard composite score.

Freshmen Application Procedure

1. 1. Complete an application online or mail a copy with a check or money order in the amount of $25.00 to: Office of Admission, Student Welcoming Center, 107 Horace Mann, Pittsburg State University, 1701 S. Broadway, Pittsburg, Kansas 66762-7520. Applications will be sent to the student upon request, or when ACT results are received by the Office of Admission.
2. Provide ACT results to the Office of Admission by coding 1449 on test form or request the high school or community college to forward official test results to Pittsburg State University. Test results will be used to determine qualified admission standards for freshmen under 21 years of age entering in the fall semester of 2001 and thereafter.
3. Arrange for a sixth or seventh semester high school transcript to be sent directly to the Office of Admission. All applicants should have a high school transcript sent when applying for admission. For a complete admission file an official final transcript should be sent upon graduation from high school that includes class rank, final grade point average, core curriculum, and graduation date.
4. It is required that all freshmen not living at home and under 21 years of age live in the residence halls. Write or call the University Student Housing office to make reservations for residence hall rooms.
5. Out-of-state students applying to Pittsburg State University for fall semester of 2001 must meet qualified admission standards. If an out-of-state student does not qualify on the ACT or top third of their graduating class they must have a 2.5000 grade point average in the core curriculum as per K.S.A. 76-717.

Transfer Students

Pittsburg State University welcomes applications from qualified students who complete university level work at another college or university. Transfer students are defined as those students seeking admission to Pittsburg State University who have completed 24 or more credit hours of university level course work at another college or university. To receive transfer credit, students must have attended an institution accredited by an appropriate college-level regional accrediting body, such as the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Transfer students with a 2.0000 or higher grade point average on a 4 point scale are eligible for admission to the university.

Information about institutions previously attended and official transcripts must be furnished regardless of the applicant's wishes concerning advanced standing. Failure to provide transcripts will disqualify the applicant. To be official, transcripts must be sent directly from each college previously attended. Hand-carried transcripts and transcripts sent by students are unofficial even though they may carry the college seal.

All courses taken at previous institutions are recorded on the student's permanent record at Pittsburg State University. All grades, including D's and F's, are used in determining the student's cumulative grade point average.

Transfer students earning credits at community colleges in Kansas and contiguous counties in Missouri and Oklahoma can access general education course evaluations on the Pittsburg State University Web site (www.pittstate.edu) or call the admission office and request a transfer equivalency guide. Community college students are encouraged to obtain these equivalency guides from the community college counseling offices, the PSU Academic Service Center Director, PSU/KC Metro Center or from the Office of Admission at Pittsburg State University.

Transfer Guidelines For Students:
Home schooled or graduates from non-accredited high schools

In order to meet federal guidelines for "ability to benefit" the admission office will request the following documentation from degree seeking transfer students who did not graduate from an accredited high school.

1. Associate degree from an accredited community college or
2. GED score of 50 points or better and partial high school transcript and transcripts for college credit earned or
3. An ACT score meeting the federal guidelines.

Transfer Application Procedure

1. Complete an application for admission on-line or mail a copy with a check or money order in the amount of $25.00 to: Office of Admission, Student Welcoming Center, 107 Horace Mann, Pittsburg State University, 1701 S. Broadway, Pittsburg, Kansas 66762. Application forms will be sent upon request.
2. Arrange to have official transcripts sent from each university previously attended. Students attending another college at the time of submitting the application should submit a partial transcript. A final official transcript should be provided when final grades are posted from the last college attended.
3. Out-of-state transfers from Kansas community colleges may not meet Kansas Board of Regents requirements for residency. Students must be prepared to prove in-state residency status.

Undergraduate International Students

Pittsburg State University is committed to international education for current domestic students and for students from countries outside the United States. The university seeks qualified and motivated students from other countries. International students may be classified as degree seeking or exchange students. Those classifications are not limited to but may be as follows: cultural exchange, degree seeking, home stay with exchange, study abroad or credit hour by home institution-not PSU.

International students, entering the university directly from their home country, or by transfer from another college or university in the United States, are required to file an international application and furnish appropriate records. All records must be translated into English and must be properly certified.

Degree seeking international students from countries in which English is not the language of instruction must document English language proficiency by one of the following:

1. A minimum score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) of 190 on the computerized test or a 520 on the standard test.
2. General Education Degree (GED) -- 50 average of the 5 subsets
3. SATIV+M = 980+
4. ACT = 21+
5. Twenty-four transfer hours with English Composition.
6. Intensive English Program Academic Preparation Class pass at level 6.
7. Graduation from an accredited high school in the United States.

International students wishing to apply for admission to the university should write or e-mail the Office of Admission, Pittsburg State University, 1701 S. Broadway, Pittsburg, Kansas 66762 (psuadmit@pittstate.edu). The Office of Admission will provide the appropriate application form and other information to assist the student in applying for admission.

Admission requirements and procedures for international students are subject to change according to the recognized needs of students and the university.

All international students are required by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) to be full-time students. The INS requires undergraduate students to complete at least 12 hours and graduate students at least 9 hours each fall and spring semester to maintain their student status. When a student fails to maintain his/her INS status, it can result in many lost benefits for the student. Students may be less than full-time their final (graduating) semester.

A tuberculosis (TB) test is required when the student arrives on the Pittsburg State University campus.

Special Students

Pittsburg State University acknowledges that there are students interested in completing courses who are not currently seeking a PSU degree. Pittsburg State University has established a simplified admission policy for these students. Non-degree seeking students or students needing courses to apply toward a degree at another college may take one or more courses without beginning study toward a degree. They can enroll as a special student. Test scores and transcripts are not required to be admitted as a special student.

If admission is sought to complete a degree at Pittsburg State University, regular admission requirements must be met. Courses completed under special status will have credit awarded, but whether courses taken as a special student will fully apply to degree requirements will depend on the nature and applicability of the course or courses.

Students are not eligible for financial aid under this classification.

Guest Students

High school students wishing to enrich their academic background may take one or more courses for credit at the university prior to high school graduation. Pittsburg State may seek acknowledgement/permission from high school officials depending on the desired course or require a standardized test score to qualify the student for admission as a guest student. For additional information contact the Director of Admission through the Office of Admission.

Advanced Standing and Credit by Examination

Students will qualify for, and receive, advanced standing and credit at the university if they have earned credit at another accredited college or university, or if credit has been obtained by one of the sources listed below.

Advanced Standing for Military Service

In general the university follows the recommendations of the Office of Educational Credits listed by the American Council of Education (ACE). Advanced standing credits will be given to veterans for formal service school courses on the basis of the recommendations of ACE. Credit earned by correspondence and/or extension is limited to a maximum of 30 hours to be allowed for graduation.

Advanced Placement

Pittsburg State University cooperates in the Advanced Placement Program sponsored by the College Entrance Examination Board. Subject to department approval, credits are granted for course areas in which a student has completed Advanced Placement Examinations with scores of 5, 4, or 3. The department of biology requires scores of 5 or 4.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

A maximum of 24 semester hours of credit may be earned by successfully completing the CLEP General Examinations provided that the credit does not represent a duplication of credit previously earned. No credit is awarded for the English section of the General Examination. Appropriate credit will be awarded for the successful completion of the subject examinations. At Pittsburg State University, credit is awarded for scores at or above the 50th percentile.

Departmental Examinations

Departmental examinations are available for both placement and credit. Some examinations are given routinely while others are available by special arrangement.

During each enrollment period, the Department of English schedules the examination for English Composition. Students with no credit in English Composition are invited to write this examination for possible credit in ENGL 101 English Composition.

Credit for ENGL 101 English Composition is offered to those students submitting an English score of 28 or higher on the American College Test (ACT).

Other placement and credit examinations are available by special arrangement. Arrangements to take department examinations may be initiated through the individual academic department involved. No fee is charged for the departmental examinations.

Enrollment Procedure

Students who apply for admission well in advance of the starting date will receive information about early enrollment for each semester. New freshmen are required to attend orientation and enrollment offered in June, July, August and January. Transfer students are invited to enrollment on the 4th Monday or Tuesday of April for summer/fall. Spring semester enrollment for transfer students is the last two days of current student enrollment in early November. Students who are unable to enroll during early enrollment may enroll during the regular enrollment period. Instructions for the Pittsburg State University on-line enrollment are printed in the Schedule of Classes or may be found through the home page (www.pittstate.edu) under GUS. The Schedule may be requested through the Office of Admission or the Registrar's Office.

Social Security Number

Each entering student is asked to provide the university with a social security number. While students may choose not to provide this information, no student may receive financial aid from any federally funded program or state payroll unless the social security number is on file. The university may be required to provide your social security number to the Kansas Division of Accounts and Reports for use in detection of fraudulent or illegal claims against state monies in accord with the general authority of K.S.A. 75-3728b.

Residency

Residency for tuition and fee purposes at Kansas Regents institutions is governed by the state of Kansas under statute K.S.A. 76-729. Adult persons enrolling in state educational institutions under the Kansas Board of Regents who have not been residents of the state of Kansas for twelve (12) months prior to enrollment for any term or session are non-residents for fee purposes. Minors' residency is determined by the parents' residency status.

Special tuition plans for out-of-state students attending Pittsburg State University are the Contiguous County Plan and the Midwest Student Exchange Plan. The Contiguous County Plan (CCO) is applicable to students from Barton, Bates, Jasper, McDonald, Newton, and Vernon counties in Missouri and Craig, Nowata, Ottawa, and Washington counties in Oklahoma. The Midwest Student Exchange Plan (MSEP) is a scholarship tuition plan for students from Missouri, Minnesota, Michigan and Nebraska. Both of these plans require a separate application process. For more information contact the Office of Admission.

Falsification of documentation on the admission application, test scores or grades could result in denial of admission and enrollment at Pittsburg State University.

STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

The Office of Student Financial Assistance is especially concerned with students who need financial assistance to attend Pittsburg State University. Financial aid is provided through a combination of sources including scholarships, grants, loans, and part-time employment.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid must be used to help determine the student's financial aid eligibility. Information used determining eligibility includes family income, assets, number of family members, number in college, etc. The university will attempt to assist the student with the difference between the total expected family contribution and the cost of attending the university. Students are encouraged to use FAFSA on the Web, the electronic application, to speed up processing: www.fafsa.ed.gov

Any student admitted to or attending Pittsburg State University is encouraged to apply early for financial aid. Entering students who wish to be considered for scholarships should file as early as February 1.

Scholarship and Grants

Each year scholarships are awarded to incoming freshmen as well as to upperclassmen. Criteria employed by scholarship committees in making these awards are: past academic performance, leadership, character, and financial need. Some awards are based entirely on merit. The Office of Student Financial Assistance will send an application and a list of Pittsburg State University scholarships on request. Students interested in athletic scholarships should contact the Athletic Director. Applicants for music scholarships should contact the chair-person of the Department of Music.

The university participates in all federal aid programs including PELL Grants, Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants, Army ROTC Scholarships, the College Work Study Program, and the Federal Family Education Loan Programs.

Loans

The university participates in the following federal programs: Perkins Loan, Stafford Loan, Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, PLUS Loan, and Nursing Student Loan.

Short-Term Loans

Students who are in good standing and who have a temporary need for funds to pay school-related expenses may borrow a University Short Term Loan for a period not to exceed the end of the semester.

For complete information on financial assistance, phone, write, or visit:

Office of Student Financial Assistance
Room 103, Horace Mann
Pittsburg State University
Pittsburg, Kansas 66762
Phone: 620-235-4240 or 1-800-854-PITT (toll free).

Student Employment

A part-time job can be a valuable and rewarding experience. More than 1,000 PSU students work on campus and earn over $1 million. Some part-time jobs require students to demonstrate financial need (college work-study), while others are open to all students (regular state employment). Students work on the average of 15 hours per week. The university has an active referral system for part-time jobs. Listings are provided to the Student Employment Office, and referrals are made through the school year. Although a job cannot be guaranteed, usually all who want to work and are persistent find jobs.

REGISTRAR'S OFFICE

The Registrar's Office, 103 Russ Hall, maintains the official student records of Pittsburg State University. Technical questions concerning enrollments, degree requirements, academic regulations, or transcript evaluations should be asked of the Registrar, Assistant Registrar for Student Records, Assistant Registrar for Degree Certification or Assistant Registrar for Transcript Analysis.

The Registrar's Office is responsible for maintaining correct records of student enrollments. Students wishing to verify their proper enrollments should see either the Registrar or the Assistant Registrar for Student Records.

Changes in enrollments are initiated in the Registrar's Office or on the Web-based enrollment system.

The Registrar's Office processes attendance verification forms for employers, Social Security, and other agencies.

Early enrollments are coordinated by the Registrar's Office as are the regular enrollment periods at the beginning of each semester or summer session. The Registrar's Office assesses the fees of each student.

Degree Certification Office

When a student attains 85 semester hours of credit (including current enrollment), the student should apply for an official degree check in the Degree Certification Office. Written application must be made for the degree on an approved form in the Registrar's Office, Degree Certification Section. The student's permanent record and current enrollment will be examined in detail to assess progress toward the degree objective. A letter is written to the student following the record analysis outlining specific requirements which must be met before a degree may be granted. A copy of this letter is sent to the student's advisor.

An automated Web-based degree audit is provided to all undergraduates through their advisors at the time of early enrollment each semester. The degree audit lists all requirements to be met for the degree, major and minor as selected by the student. It will be indicated on the degree audit when an official degree check application must be made. The degree audit is also available through the on line Web-based enrollment system.

Veterans' Coordinator

Programs of educational benefits to veterans and war orphans are coordinated by the veterans' coordinator in the Office of the Registrar. Veterans are assisted in obtaining benefits for their selected programs and in providing certifications to the Veterans Administration. The university is approved for veterans training by the Kansas Veterans Commission.

In order to qualify for full payment benefits, an undergraduate veteran or war orphan must carry a minimum of 12 hours of credit per semester. Graduate student veterans qualify for full payment by carrying nine hours of credit per semester. Pay rates for summer sessions are determined on an equivalency basis.

CONTINUING STUDIES

The Division of Continuing Studies, in cooperation with university academic departments, provides academic courses and educational programs throughout the university's service region. Academic Outreach Centers are located at each of the six regional Kansas community college campuses and the South side Education Center in Wichita, and the Kansas City Metro Center to assist students with enrolling in PSU programs. Noncredit programs are offered on the university campus throughout the year for professional development, personal growth, and staff development.

Individuals interested in any of these services may contact one of the Continuing Studies professional staff in Room 106 Russ Hall, telephone 620-235-4176, or visit the Continuing Studies Web page at www.pittstate.edu/const/. Wichita area students may visit the South side Education Center at 4501 E. 47th Street South or telephone 316-978-6647. The Kansas City Metro Center is located at 12345 W. 95th Street, Suite 204, in Lenexa, telephone 913-529-4487.

STUDENT AFFAIRS

The Division of Student Affairs provides a number of programs and services which provide academic support, creative and cultural enrichment, career and life planning, and personal and leadership development. Major services of the division are: Career Services, Jack H. Overman Student Center, Student Health, University Housing, Admission, Student Financial Assistance, Student Support Services, and Multicultural Student Support, International Affairs and Intensive English.

Students who have questions about any services or regulations at Pittsburg State University should visit the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, 221 Russ Hall or call 620-235-4233.

Student Health

The Student Health Center is located at 1801 South Joplin. The student health and wellness program at Pittsburg State University is designed to provide medical assistance to students who are attending the university. A listing of specific services provided is available at the Student Health Center and is outlined in the Student Health Center brochure.

Any student who is enrolled at Pittsburg State University is eligible for the services provided at the Student Health Center. Services are made available from the first day of official university registration for the semester in which the student is enrolled. Eligibility continues during the semester in which the student health fee has been paid until the last official day of the semester. Eligibility for services at the Student Health Center will cease on the date of official withdrawal from the university. All students enrolled during the summer terms will be eligible for student health services from the first official day of registration until the last official day of the session. Students who were enrolled for the spring semester, not attending in the summer session, but planning on returning in the fall semester, are eligible for services if the summer session health fee is paid. The Student Health Center is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Each year the Student Health Center staff selects a student accident and hospitalization insurance program for the students at Pittsburg State University, which provides good coverage at a reasonable cost.

Student Housing

Residence halls at Pittsburg State University provide students with a living-learning environment which is an integral part of the total educational purpose of the university.

The university operates East Campus apartments and residence halls. Contract food service is provided to students living in residence halls. Students living off campus may contract to eat in the residence hall cafeteria.

Pittsburg State University maintains a Campus Residency Policy which requires all first year students must live in a university residency hall for their first two academic semesters on campus and purchase either the Seven Day Access meal plan or the 14 Access meal plan. All other students may live in the housing of their choice. Exceptions to the policy are normally granted (prior to signing the contract) when any of the following circumstances exist: The student: 1) lives at home with parents and commutes within 50 miles of PSU's campus, 2) is married and living with spouse and/or has dependent children under their care, 3) has at least one year of active military service, 4) is 21 years of age or older, or 5) is transferring 24 hours of course credit or more (concurrent enrollment credits do not qualify).

All students planning to attend Pittsburg State University should write to the Director of University Housing, Room 209 Horace Mann, Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg,

Kansas 66762 for full information about housing, or call University Housing Office at (620) 235-4245 or 1-800-854-PITT.

Student Conduct

Pittsburg State University assumes that men and women of college age are able and willing to maintain standards of self discipline appropriate to membership in a university community. Students are expected to consider the rights of others and to use mature and reasonable judgment concerning their actions while students at Pittsburg State University.

The administration of the university has the inherent responsibility to protect the educational purpose through regulation of the use of university facilities, and through the setting of standards of conduct and scholarship for students.

All students are expected to abide by federal, state, and local statutes and/or university regulations as published in the Code of Student Rights & Responsibilities in the Class Schedule, on the Web at www.pittstate.edu/pubs/stucode.html and other official university publications.

Assistance to Disabled Students

Pittsburg State University is committed to a policy of educational equity. Accordingly, the university admits students, grants financial aid and scholarships, conducts all educational programs, activities, and employment practices without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, ancestry or disabilities. Students seeking assistance with academic programs because of disabilities (physical, emotional, mental or multi disabilities) are to contact Teresa R. Massa, Director of Equal Opportunity, 218 Russ Hall, Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS 66762, telephone 620-235-4185, or because of learning disabilities, are to contact Dr. Nick Henry, Coordinator of Learning Disabilities, 110 Hughes Hall, Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS 66762, telephone 620-235-4966.

University Career Services

The office of Career Services, 202 & 203 Horace Mann Hall (Student Welcoming Center), provides a full range of opportunities to students and alumni. Individual career counseling and consultation is available by appointment. Self-assessment tools and computer-assisted guidance programs are often utilized in this process. Career information fairs are held each year for the business, government and health fields, teacher employment, and internship/summer employment. These provide all students the opportunity to investigate occupations and companies, practice interview techniques, and make valuable contacts.

The Student Employment Office, 202 Horace Mann Hall, maintains a job list database of part-time job openings both on and off campus. Students are encouraged to e-mail (studemp@pittstate.edu) or contact the office for a free PIN to access the Career Connections program via the Internet. Students can also visit the job board for a list of job vacancies that are posted daily on the first floor of Horace Mann Hall (east entrance outside the computer lab). These job listings include positions for Federal Work-Study, Kansas Work-Study, American Reads program, Youth in Educational Service, state funded and private sector jobs.

Graduating students and alumni can request credential service or register with the Career Connections program for access to job vacancies, on-campus interviews and sign-up, and resume referral to potential employers. Please contact the office by calling (620) 235-4140 to receive a PIN to the Career Connections software program via the Internet, or visit our Web Page at: http://www.pittstate.edu/car. A minimal fee is charged for credential service and for a Career Connections PIN if an individual is not currently enrolled in a course at PSU.

The Career Information Library, 202 Horace Mann Hall, maintains an extensive collection of resources and a computer lab for individuals to access the Career Connections program, career guidance software programs, information on occupations, business and government employers, school districts, job search skills and techniques, and graduate schools. A television and VCR are also available to view the extensive video collection. Peer advisors are available during office hours in the career library to assist students in developing job search skills, tools, strategies.

Student Employment

A part-time job can be a valuable and rewarding experience. More than 1,000 PSU students work on campus and collectively earn over $1 million in state or federally funded jobs. Some part-time positions require students to demonstrate financial need (Federal Work Study), while others are open to all students (regular state employment). Students are limited to 20 hours of work per week while enrolled in a full course load (typically 15 credit hours). The University has an active referral system for part-time jobs through the Career Connections program. Students can view job vacancies on the Internet by obtaining a free PIN from Career Services (202 Horace Mann Hall) and visiting the Web page: http://www.pittstate.edu/car Although a job cannot be guaranteed, usually all who want to work and are persistent find jobs.

Student Support Services Office

The Office of Student Support Services, 104 Horace Mann, provides a variety of approaches to fully integrate students into campus life at Pittsburg State University. The office serves as an integral part of Pittsburg State University's retention initiatives as defined in the division's long range goals. Student Support Services coordinates programs and develops initiatives which enhance student success and persistence to graduation by encouraging early exploration of education, professional and vocational options, assisting with development of an appropriate personal education plan and helping students clarify the purposes and outcomes of their college education.

Ongoing services include: orientation programs to provide assistance with the adjustment to college and to facilitate efficient first-term enrollment; programs for graduating high school students to help clarify expectations and rewards of the college experience; academic, career and personal advising/counseling for undeclared majors; training activities and resources for academic advisors; study skills presentations for student groups at all levels; individual learning, study skills, and decision making assistance for students in any major.

Orientation sessions for entering freshman and transfer students are scheduled throughout the year. All program formats include presentations and activities which introduce and instruct students about important facets of the transition to Pittsburg State, meetings with academic advisors and enrollment in classes for the upcoming semester. Parents and guests are welcomed at all sessions. Special program activities for parents, families and guests are scheduled during the summer orientation programs.

The S.T.E.P.S. (Student Test Evaluation and Planning Session) program is offered to high school graduates during the spring of their last high school semester. Each of four half-day sessions includes presentation of information about college expectations, teaching/learning strategies for college courses, PSU curricular requirements, course selection strategies, suggestions for effectively planning a student's first semester and short presentations and question/answer sessions hosted by Student Financial Assistance, Career Services and University Housing.

Student Support Services also coordinates the Undeclared Major Program for students who have not chosen an academic major. Over 100 volunteer faculty and professional staff advisors assist the 300-600 undeclared major students in exploring potential majors through the general education curriculum. Undeclared major advisors receive training and resource materials to help them understand the needs of these students and provide effective strategies for facilitating students' discovery of an academic major that is right for them.

Multicultural Student Support Services

Multicultural Student Support and Services, 102 Overman Student Center, promotes a multicultural environment on campus. The focus of Multicultural Student Support and Services is to assure that the environment of the campus is inclusive with respect to the cultural, racial, ethnic and other differences represented in the university community. Multicultural Student Support and Services maintains a resource center, 104 Overman Student Center, that serves as a resource for academic programs, curriculum development and student support services. Multicultural Student Support and Services also assists the minority student organizations with their activities.

LEARNING RESOURCES DIVISION

LIBRARY SERVICES
http://library.pittstate.edu

The mission of the Leonard H. Axe Library is to provide materials and services which effectively enable members of the Pittsburg State University academic community and Kansas citizens to reach their learning, teaching, research, and service goals. Two subsidiary missions are the education of present and potential library users in efficient use of the library's information resources, and the collection and preservation of the region's cultural and intellectual heritage.

Axe Library is dedicated to meeting the needs of the "Information Age" not only through the traditional print sources of books and journals, but also through the new technologies of computers and electronic information dissemination. Access to information has expanded beyond the walls of the library through the innovative uses of computer searching, computerized interlibrary loan, and facsimile reproduction. Information about the library's holdings is available virtually anywhere through the World Wide Web.

The Internet and CD-ROM technology now provide rapid and easy access to vast amounts of information which previously required tedious searching through print resources. Student expo Resources are selected to provide materials and services to support course offerings and to foster independent study and research. The library staff places great emphasis upon patron services. Assistance is provided with reference materials, automated information sources, periodicals, government documents, special collections, and the general book collection. Materials relating to the region's heritage are collected, preserved and made available through the nationally recognized Special Collections and University Archives Department. Axe Library is also the home of the most extensive collection of government information in the region. Automation is utilized to speed and improve the processes of purchasing, cataloging, and circulating materials.sure to the best sources of information, be it modern or traditional, is encouraged in order to enhance academic success as well as to prepare students for their future roles in society.

The Leonard H. Axe Library, open 85 hours per week and with holdings of over 600,000 items, offers a comfortable atmosphere for study and research. More information about library services and collections may be obtained by contacting the library at 235-4879.

A branch library is located in the Kansas Technology Center, Room S-220. Reference, reserve, and interlibrary loan are provided by the KTC Library. For more information, please call 235-4054.

INSTRUCTIONAL MEDIA

The Office of Instructional Media has as its mission the application of the techniques and processes of modern communication technologies in support of the Pittsburg State University academic program.

A comprehensive collection of catalogs of rental and sponsored video tapes, 16mm films, filmstrips, and multi-media packages is maintained and the Office of Instructional Media provides complete acquisition services and a substantial subsidy to rental costs. Audiovisual equipment associated with the use of such materials is available upon request.

Pittsburg State University has been a pioneer in the development and utilization of CCTV studio complete with video and audio taping facilities is located in Hartman Hall. Some 340 classrooms across campus are equipped to receive video programming via the campus cable system. Three satellite down-links (earth stations) provide educational video programming and satellite video conferencing capabilities.

Several classrooms on campus provide a totally flexible teaching atmosphere using modern technology. Conventional classroom and auditorium teaching/learning facilities are complemented by integrated media systems. University classes are provided to other sites around the region using interactive television technology.

Please contact the coordinator of the Office of Instructional Media for further information regarding Instructional Media services at 235-4840.

INFORMATION SYSTEMS
http://www.pittstate.edu/ois/

The Office of Information Systems (OIS) at PSU furnishes the campus with information technology to assist the community's informational needs. This is accomplished through campus-wide access and integrated education of the information, services and resources available to the campus community. OIS is committed to assisting the campus community in the appropriate use of information systems in academic and administrative environments.

ACADEMIC COMPUTING AND DESKTOP SUPPORT SERVICES

OIS provides professional knowledge and skills to faculty, staff and students. The focus is on access, support, training and integration of appropriate computing technology through collaboration between OIS and the campus community. Computing and Desktop Support Services works closely with individuals, departments, and students to provide computer facilities both at the desktop and in laboratory settings. Both Windows/Intel and Macintosh systems are widely supported.

ANALYSIS AND PROGRAMMING SERVICES

PSU maintains and develops a wide array of applications for administrative and academic use. OIS' analyst and systems programmers support over 20 core applications that include Web-based applications for student advising, degree audits, transcripts, and course enrollment. Each is integrated with the campus databases to provide a seamless system to students, faculty and staff.

COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES

PSU communications are carried over both copper and fiber managed by OIS' professional team of technicians and managers. The Nortel 81C phone switch services 1500+ phones and voicemail boxes for the campus and residence halls. The campus data network is based on an OC12, OC3 and FDDI backbone with fiber to all academic and administrative buildings. Fiber service and Category 5 Copper complete the building infrastructure and provide 10baseT connectivity to the desktop.

PRINTING AND POSTAL SERVICES

OIS operates a professional full-service print shop, copy center, and post office for the campus needs. Quick print provides copy service, folding and binding for the campus and student community. Printing Services operates desktop publishing services, offset printing, binding, and brokering of specialty jobs. The University Post Office maintains a Federal Post Office window, campus mail, and bulk mail services.

SYSTEMS SUPPORT

The OIS systems support team provides development, maintenance and expansion for campus wide servers using UNIX and Windows NT. Goals set by the Systems Group are those of high server reliability and fast access to ensure uninterrupted and quality services for both academic and administrative uses.

OIS ADMINISTRATION

The OIS administrative team provides leadership for campus Information Technology. This includes the coordination of policies, computer accounts, computer and information technology purchasing, Web page development and maintenance, and computer and distance learning scheduling.